Yarno, The Bull Frog
- The illustrator of my children’s book Green Trillium enjoys hiking, nature, and sketching. She often carries a camera to snap shots she might like to draw when she gets home.
On one trek, she saw a fat, comical bull frog in her pathway. She paused to photograph it. It hopped a little way on and she had to readjust her camera. It hopped on a bit farther. She kept after it until she’d snapped a photo of the now grumpy frog.
Jump to 2009 when she was drawing the illustrations for Green Trillium, a children’s book that has lots of nature scenes, flora, and fauna. Mia couldn’t resist putting the grumpy, though whimsical frog into one of the pictures.
Hop ahead to 2014 when I met Jeffrey Thomas Cook at a meeting of the Wayne Writer’s Guild. Members meet twice a month to share what they’re working on, network, and socialize. Jeff bought a copy of Behind Our Eyes: A Second Look, an anthology of stories, poems, and essays by 65 writers with disabilities that I’d edited. When he came to my home to pick it up, we chatted and he mentioned that he was also a chainsaw artist.
A memory leapt into my mind of a chain sawn frog I’d found years ago. It would have been perfect in my Monet Garden; however, it cost $500. Rather more than I could afford at the time.
After hearing my tale of woe, Jeff said he could do it for $99. I thought about it and we e-mailed back and forth and even sent a digital of the bull frog in my book.
I am now the proud owner of Yarno,The Bull Frog, so named after Mia’s husband. Jarno is actually the correct spelling of this man from Finland, but I don’t want to get in trouble with our Marines!
The solid oak sculpture will be kerplopped in a special spot near the water feature in my Monet Garden this spring.
Green Trillium
By Kate Chamberlin
Illustrated by Mia Surakka
ISBN: 9781426908750
Behind Our Eyes: A Second Look
Stories, Poems, and Essays by 65 writers with disabilities
Edited by Kate Chamberlin
ISBN 978-1490304472
NLS/BARD: DB 77772
Book Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk0uIaQTr24
Jeffrey Thomas Cook
Critters 3D – Chainsaw Art / Wooden Toys / Lawn Creations / Frames / Multimedia Sculptures
585/794/0710